3 Things to Look for In a Certificate Program

Have you been considering furthering your career with a certificate? If so, you are not alone. Certificates, although not as in-depth as traditional degree programs, can provide a solid foundation for breaking into a new field or keeping your knowledge fresh in your current industry. Since there are so many different certificate programs to choose from, however, it can be tricky to know which program makes the most sense for you. Here are three key things to look for in a certificate program.

1. Value

Because education is an investment, you’ll want to think carefully about where your time and money are going. Certificates are not a huge undertaking in terms of time or money, especially when compared to a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree. That doesn’t mean, however, that they’re not worthy of careful consideration.

When looking for a degree program, consider the total price of the program in addition to the number of courses you’ll be taking. If two programs have identical prices, but one program has half the number of classes, is that the best value?

At CCE Assumption, we’re always looking for ways to give students the most value possible from their programs. Recently, Assumption’s Digital Marketing Certificate was ranked #14 on the Top 30 Best Value Digital Marketing Certificate Programs for 2017. Value Colleges noted our curriculum’s design because it fills the skills gap by giving students a thorough knowledge of marketing within a short period of time.

2. Curriculum

Another important thing to consider when evaluating a certificate program is the curriculum for the program. If you’re entering a new field, you’ll want to be sure that the program contains some introductory level courses as well as some more advanced courses that can help you develop a marketable skill set. If you’re using a certificate as a way to grow within your existing field, you’ll want to look for certificates that offer more advanced training courses. Compare and contrast the courses offered to those offered by similar certificate programs and see which program offers the best and most applicable courses.

3. Flexibility

Do you already have a tight schedule? Look for a certificate program that offers online or evening classes which will provide you the convenience and flexibility you need to complete your courses in a timely manner. With online classes in particular, you won’t have to worry about work interfering with class time because you’ll be on your own schedule. CCE at Assumption offers several online certificate programs that can meet the needs of your schedule.